DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL NEWS
The Army Ornithological Society used the School as a base during their weekend stay in the area in July . Twenty-five members enjoyed the facilities of the School ’ s Fenwick-Smith boarding house as a base for their visits in the area . Their trip to Bempton Cliffs to see the black browed albatross which had been sighted there was less successful than hoped , as it was nowhere to be seen , although a great time was had by all !
The School ’ s boarding houses also hosted a family gathering which saw over 60 family members meet up for the first time in three years . All ages enjoyed their own version of the Olympics , quizzes and fun activities including performing their own drama production .
Janet Knott , Deputy Bursar at Pocklington School , said : “ It ’ s been fantastic to welcome so many different groups back to our campus over the summer and see so many children and adults enjoying themselves and having some fun . We ’ ve had some very positive feedback from the group organisers , which is a wonderful testament to everyone in the Pocklington School team who plays a part in making them feel so welcome .”
For enquiries about hiring facilities for conferences , events and performances at Pocklington School visit www . pocklingtonschool . com / about-us / facilities-hire , email facilities @ pocklingtonschool . com or call 01759 321200 .
POCKLINGTON PREP LAUNCHES INNOVATIVE , FUTURE FOCUSED CURRICULUM
Pocklington Prep School has launched an innovative new curriculum ‘ The Curiosity Project ’, designed to develop vital skills such as independent thinking , critical analysis and teamwork . The new curriculum will prepare pupils not only for their next steps in education but for their futures as innovators , collaborators , leaders and more .
Each half term pupils will work together on a broad conceptual question such as ‘ can people change ?’ or ‘ what does it mean to be free ?’. Pupils seek to answer this question by delving down into subjectspecific skills and knowledge to develop their thoughts and ideas .
This innovative process of ‘ enquiry sequence ’ is not all pre-planned by the teacher . Rather than being told what they will be studying , pupils learn and make discoveries as they realise they need to know about them , to help them answer their conceptual question . The teacher facilitates the process and has a clear set of concepts , skills and knowledge they aim for the pupils to cover but is flexible in their approach and is open to risk-taking and to worthwhile ‘ diversions ’ in the learning .
The conceptual questions are carefully mapped out across each academic year and all require discovery , enquiry and analysis . Puzzles and new points for development are introduced to cause pupils to question and enhance their ideas as they work towards an answer , utilising new and traditional subject areas of , for example , history or science , in a different way .
The usual ‘ timetabling ’ of subjects across a week will change as pupils ’ learning may take them into weeklong scientific investigation or a full day of researching and writing reports . Every classroom will feature a ‘ timeline display ’ mapping out the ‘ enquiry sequence ’, which pupils will add to as their work progresses throughout the half term . The final answer the pupils arrive at can then be presented in any number of formats , such as a filmed news report , a play or a colourfully illustrated magazine .
Cath Sweeting , Head of Curriculum at Pocklington Prep School , developed ‘ The Curiosity Project ’ drawing on her 16 years ’ experience as a teacher since graduating from Exeter College , Oxford . Her belief is that a pupil ’ s learning journey should comprise the core elements of subject knowledge and subject skills , plus the ability to debate , analyse and communicate . Cath also took inspiration from the works of many education specialists , including likeminded Jonathan Lear of ‘ Guerilla Education ’ who argues that children should be actively involved rather than being passive recipients of a teacher ’ s creativity .
Cath said : “ As a Prep School , we take the word ‘ prep ’ seriously ; we want to prepare children with the enthusiasm , knowledge and experience to enable them to thrive . As well as subject skills that are taught , practised and developed year on year , this new curriculum ensures that the learning has direction , purpose and encourages independent thinking . It puts pupils at its centre , instilling within them an enquiring mind , the confidence to ask questions , explain their findings and provides a fantastic springboard for their futures .”
Maths and Modern Foreign Languages will continue to be taught by specialist teachers alongside the new curriculum , as will sport , art and music . Opportunities to apply skills and ideas from all these areas will be used in helping to answer the conceptual questions as appropriate and will help illustrate the inter-connectedness of different disciplines . Outside speakers will also be invited in every half term to help pupils develop their learning as they seek to answer the big questions they ’ ve been challenged with .
Suzy Ward , Head of Pocklington Prep School said : “ This curriculum is a turning point for our Prep School and our staff have been thrilled to be a part of something so innovative and challenging . The use of an enquiry model to inspire students ’ curiosity will set the tone for a way of learning that is markedly different from what they will have experienced before . Our children will be able to feel the joy of pursuit and enquiry first hand , solving problems with a degree of independence not experienced before . They will move through the school gaining knowledge and answers , but when they leave , we hope they have more questions and ideas than ever before !
“ Curiosity is what has pushed humans forward to achieve greater and greater things , and our pupils will be equipped to be at the forefront of future achievements as they grow into adulthood .” looking for a unique venue ?
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